COUNTY LIFE
By DANI BLACKBURN
Making a phone call today is as simple as picking up your smart phone and hitting a button, but in the mid-1900s, there was a little more to it.
To place a call, one would turn the crank on the right side of a wall telephone, where you would be connected to the Montague telephone office. Someone at the office would ask you who you were calling and then connect you to that person for your conversation.
The conversation would not be private because everyone was on a party line, which also meant you could pick up your phone and listen to anyone’s conversation, and even join in.
The use of an old wall telephone in the mid-1900s is just one of the many memories of growing up in Montague County that local author Jack Nabours captures in his new memoir “The Way It Was.”
Meet Jack Nabours in your weekend Bowie News as he talks about growing up in early-day Montague. Pictured: Jack Nabours signs one of his new books, “The Way it Was.”
COUNTY LIFE
ZZ Texas ZZ Top tribute band performed at Music in the Park Saturday in Bowie (brief video)
Watch your Thursday’s Bowie News for more photos.
It’s time to start working on your entry for the 2025 Jim Bowie Days Parade.
The theme is “God Bless Texas.” The entry deadline is 5 p.m. on June 25. Entry forms are available at jimbowiedays.com.
There are four categories for the parade: Youth organization or sports team, civic organization or church, riding club and business.
Kids are encouraged to decorate their bicycles and ride in the parade, and those with antique cars, trucks or tractors should give them a shine. For cowgirls and cowboys bring your horses to town and ride them on the route.
Prizes will be awarded for outstanding entries.
Coming in the June 19 Bowie News see the full calendar of events program for Jim Bowie Days and plan all your family’s activities during this western week of fun.
The Music in the Park Festival organizers welcome guests to enjoy a day under the beautiful oaks of Pelham Park to hear an array of music on June 14 in Bowie.
This free music festival is hosted by the Bowie Community center and R&K Sound Company.
Guests are invited to bring their lawn chairs and set up under the oak trees that fill the park near the amphitheater. This is the second year for this free festival as it expands to a full day.
Live acoustic music opens the free festival starting at 11:30 a.m. with Corben Wolsey, Blake Mangus, Tiffany Chandler, Sara White and Dillon Edwards. Other live music that day will include Bad Daddy Band and Bricktown Band. ZZ Texas, a ZZ Top tribute band, will take the stage at 8 p.m. Live music continues until 10 p.m.
There will be food truck vendors, bounce houses (fee), axe throwing and vendors. Guests are allowed to bring beer in a cooler, but no soda pop or similar drinks. There will be a $5 cooler fee.
Prior to the musical events there will be a 5K run/walk at 8:30 a.m. at the Pelham Park Pavilion. Pre-race warm-up begins at 8:10 a.m. and the race starts at 8:30 a.m. There will be first-third place winners in each age category.
Entry fee is $35 and participants receive a T-shirt. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Clear Choice Pregnancy Resource Center.
Those with questions may call Bonnie at 940-872-4861 or Kenny at 817-704-9847. In case of rain the event will be moved into the center.
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